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C8 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 19, 2000 U lI r _ L ^ Simple physiotherapy puts golf game back on course T hroughout the winter, Harry had been wait ing impatiently to get back on the golf course. But the first few times out, he'd felt this pain in his back and now he couldn't play at all without it hurting a lot. The mysterious thing was that his back didn't really hurt any other time -- just when he played golf. As a result, Harry's golfing season was turning into a disaster. He considered his options and joined a growing trend: he consulted a registered physio therapist. Harry's physiotherapist began with a thorough assessment. Did the pain result from something in the joints? The soft tissues around them? Muscle weakness or imbalance? She also talked with Harry about the other things he does, looking for clues that would help her figure out the source of the pain. It really can be a case of medical detective work because a pain in someone's arms, for instance, could arise from something in their neck. O r playing golf or tennis might bring out a problem that actually stems from another activity. The physiotherapist determined that H any's pain had several causes: his abdominal muscles were weak, there was a slight discrepancy between the length of his legs that was causing a dys function in the small joints of his lower back, and he was using an improper stance. In Harry's case, it was the com bination that was putting an end to his golf game. The solution also lay in a combined approach: strengthening exercises for his abdomi nals, manipulation for the joint dysfunction in his back, a little lift in one shoe to compensate for the difference in the length of his legs, and a few golf lessons to correct his stance and swing. An important part of Harry's treatment was help ing him to take responsibility for his well-being: doing a few exercises on a regular basis and signing up for some golf lessons. Physiotherapists regard themselves as teachers: the whole idea is to give you the tools, techniques, and understanding of how your body works so you can take care of your self. They also know that a lot of people work behind desks during the week and only get the chance to play their favourite sports on the weekend. But ask ing your body to absorb these bursts of physical activity without any preparation can lead to trouble. By taking a few minutes each day to do some exer cises, you can help prevent injuries; it's like brush ing your teeth to prevent cavities (see sidebar). Integral part of the golfing community gets facelift L ow ville G o lf C ourse has been around for 27 years, and w ith recent ow ner ship changes, it received a significant facelift in 1998. The new look has d ram ati cally raised the profile o f the course, and in 1999 it won "B est M akeover" , and "M ost Scenic V iew s" , by Toronto S ta r's B ogey M an. Sandy W hite, the G eneral M anager, and CPG A P rofessional at L ow ville, en th u sia sti cally describes the view s from m any o f the holes on the N iagra escarpm ent as "breath taking." He also notes that A rchitect D ick K irkpactric's course m akeover and new holes have tra n sfo rm ed th is c o u rse into a " Southern O ntario G em " . L ow ville G o lf C lub has 18 new greens, all w ith C-6 bent grass, and the layout has changed, adding 700 yards to the overall length. N ew irrig atio n system s and club house renovations w ill be ready th is year, and Sandy W hite has in d icated th at the pub lie reaction to the changes has been "very p o sitiv e " . Sandy W hite has been a PG A pro fo r 18 years. He ap p renticed at the G lendale C lub in H am ilton, and ran the S outh b ro o k G o lf C ourse in B inbrook fo r 8 years. H e is now a p artner in the L o w ville G o lf C lub, w hich is also connected w ith H idden L akes G o lf C lub. D rop by to ex p erience the `b reath tak in g v ie w s' in person, and see the g o lf course the public has been rav in g about since it's re opening on June 1, 1999. M ore inform ation on L o w v ille 's m em bership packages, or payas-you-play rates can be found on th e ir web site at w w w .lo w v illeg o lf.co m , o r by calling 905-365-6181. LOWVILLE GOLF CLUB Preparing you for the golf season with simple exercises Registered physiotherapist Karen Orlando recommends three simple stretching exercises you can do daily to get ready for the links. 1. Hold your golf club out in front o f you at shoulder level with your elbows straight and your hands at each end of the club shaft. Keeping your elbows straight, raise the club over your head and drop it as far behind you as you can. Feel the gentle stretch across the front o f your shoul der joints, hold for a few seconds, then bring the club back to the starting position. Repeat five to ten times. 2. Hold your golf club out in front of you at shoulder level with your elbows straight and your hands at each end of the club shaft. Keeping your elbows straight, raise one hand and lower the other so that you're turning the club end for end as far as you can. The idea is that the club is horizontal with the head at one side when you start the twist and horizon tal with the head at other side when you finish, hold for a few seconds, then bring the club back to the starting position. Repeat five to ten times. 3. Hold your golf club above your head with your elbows straight and your hands at each end o f the club shaft. Keeping your elbows straight, bend to the side as far as you can. Feel the gentle stretch in your side flexors, hold for a few seconds, then return to the upright position and bend to the other side. Repeat five to ten times. Memberships Mon. - Fri. (excluding holidays) UNLIMITED GOLF Single Spouse Senior 60+ Sr. Spouse ^Jr. {18 & under) $1099°° $925°° $99900 $899°° $99900 $825°° $899°° $79900 $5990° ^ Limited Quantities Available at Pre Season Prices Tournament Packages Available from $6 5 00p.p. golf/cart/steak dinner RATED B Y TO RO N TO STAR B O G E Y M AN "Best Makeover" "Best Scenery" "B e st Value" Britannia Rd. @ Guelph Line The look for ladies' spring golf fashions is classic, strong basic colours in red, navy and grey. Above fashions available at Barbette by Canterbury. (905) 335-6181 www.lowvillegolf.com Keeping Oakville in golf apparel and equipment since 1998 M O R E th a n a G o u f Sh o p For all that) fine in Golf. M ore Than a G olf Shop has been in business since M arch o f 1998. A store that not only offers a large selection o f pre mier m en's' and ladies golf equipment and apparel, but is also renowned for the excellent golf lessons given by ow ner (and teaching professional) Ray Bessette. M ore Than a G olf Shop caters to beginner golfers, and they will spend as much time as necessary talking to you about not only the basics o f golf, but the type o f proper fitting equip ment that you will require. Customers are left feeling that they are dealing with consultants, and not salespeople, thus feeling very secure in their selec tions. Owner Ray Bessette utilizes a very patient, personable and easy going approach when giving golf lessons. Customers do not feel intimidated in any way, and feel very relaxed, always w anting to com e back for more lessons! W hen customers leave the store, they will have left knowing that it was a very pleasurable and rew arding experience. The personable and con sulting approach along with their com mitment to the community is making M ore Than a G olf Shop a fixture in Oakville. Drop by to find out why! Start the Season with these Great Savings Selected Golf Bags up,05 0 % o f f i t / Men's & Ladies' Apparel uPto5 0 % o f f Check Out Our Demo Area & Try Out The New Ping ISI and Tommy Armour EVO Clubs G e t in to th e S w in g o f T h in g s Callaway Steel H ead W oods G ood selection available. Reg. $349.95 H SALE $2 7 9 95 SALE $7 4 9 95 SALE $1 5 0 0 ° ° SALE $6 9 9 95 $Q Q Q 95 J T 1! / Tommy A rm our 845 O versize with Sensicore steel shaft. Reg. $849.95 Yonex Titanium PL U S Irons Reg. $2200.00 Taylor M ade Tour Irons Golf wear by Marcia, Tail. Lady Ashworth. I/od. Donald Jewell and Haley plus outerwear by Sunice and Sunderland. We pride oursehes in friendly, personal service & free gift wrapping! Riffle Shaft. Reg. $900.00 R am FX Oversize Irons w/Graphite M en 's, L adies', Seniors'. Reg. $499.95 SALE . . . . 5>ALt Remember Mother's Day May 14th _ Nancy Lopez L adies' Irons Reg. $699.00 A Q00 tflR N TFE 349 l.a k e sh o re Rd. K,, D tm n u m n O ak ville N e w A r r iv a l s PING ISI IRONS, CALLAY X-14 IRONS, TOMMY ARMOUR EVO IRONS, PING ISOPUR PUTTERS CALLAWAY "RULE 35" G O LF BALLS GOLF SHIRT with every purchase of equipment over $200.00. IIMITFD SELECTION SFI F fT ID N LIMITED *105-845-6201 128 Trafalgar Rd., Oakvilie, ON One block north o f Lakeshore Rd. (905) 3 3 8 - 7 4 5 6